Thursday, January 15, 2009

Grandma's Quilt

Use it Up, Wear it Out, Make it Do, or Do Without

My Grandma was the most amazing woman. To me, she is the epitome of the word Grandma. She was the best cook ever to be born, she also embroidered, she sewed, not only for us, but for our dolls as well.Our dolls had mattresses, pillows, quilts and nice clothes because sweet Grandma took the time to make them for us. But our dolls weren't the only ones outfitted with bedding. There was one time as I was snuggling into bed that I realized all my night-time comforts were due to my Grandma. The lamp I used to read with was purchased with Birthday money from her. My pillow was made by her, from the feathers of her chickens. The pillowcase that covered the pillow had been sewn, embroidered and crocheted with an edging by her. My warm nightgown, again was made by her. And lastly she made my quilt. You can see a picture of a quilt that has pretty much disintegrated that she made. The white part in the photo is the muslin cover that encases the warm wool batt. She made a pillowcase for the batt, then quilted the batt with its pillowcase in a grid formation to keep it from balling up. Then she made an outer cover for it and finally she tied it with brown yarn. This quilt top is falling apart, but the batting inside is still fine. So I am in the process of taking it apart, cutting all the brown yarn and pulling off the outside. I will make another cover for it and we will be back in business. Because of its fragile nature when I got it, I put it up for a day when I could recover it. But I kept finding it on my children's beds. They all loved the warm, heavy wool batt and wanted that quilt, in spite of the fact that it was so raggedy.When we owned a farm, we had sheep that we sheered every spring. We could send the wool to a mill and have it made into batting and blankets. It was done on an exchange basis, so they took part of our wool as payment to convert the rest into batting and blankets. I had 12 wool batts made and then made each child a wool batt quilt, like my Grandma had made for me, because I loved it so much.I was happy that my mother let me have this old quilt, and I am making good use of it now. I will put a pretty cover over it and it will again become the much coveted blanket in the house.Grandma, if you happen to be looking down from Heaven, just know that your legacy still lives on. Thank you for your great example, heritage, knowledge and LOVE. I love you Grandma.

What a lovely tribute to your grandmother. My brother's grandmother (long story) was the epitome of grandma. I used to hope that I'd be just like her when I became a grandma. As it stands, chances aren't very good.

But YOU, my friend, must make your grandmother very proud. As you described her, it seemed as if you were describing yourself. I'm pretty darned sure that you're the best grandma out there with all the love and thought that you put into things.

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Thanks for stopping by, and thanks for your comments.I LOVE hearing from all of you!!!If you ask a question in your comments, please be sure to add your email address somewhere, even if it is a private email to me so I can answer your questions.annieofbluegables121 [at] gmail [dot] com~a